Evening wrap: Branch re-signs, Brady named AFC player of the week

Evening wrap: Branch re-signs, Brady named AFC player of the week

CSNNE's Mike Giardi checked in with the day's headlines.
The New England Patriots are continuing preparations for the SanFrancisco49ers.
Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are reportedly talking to Ryan Dempster and the NHL and NHLPA have resumed negotiations in hopes of ending the lockout.

More importantly around here, the Patriots now are in position to win out and claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Prior to the Raiders loss, Oakland would have been the top seed if both they and the Patriots won out. Now, the 10-2 Patriots have a leg up on the rest of the conference. The Raiders’ road stays tough. They are at San Diego and Denver and host the Colts.

The Chiefs have a more favorable close to the season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before their season finale at San Diego.

The Patriots’ road over the final four is no picnic though, beginning with the Ravens and at Denver before the last two hosting the Jets and traveling to Miami.